2004 V70 Unstable on Highway

[Zeeko]

Hey all-

I'm having kind of a weird issue with my 04 V70 2.5T with 167k.

When I drive on the highway, the car just seems unstable to the point where I have to keep both hands at 10 and 2
It doesn't pull, but it just feels like the steering is slightly loose and the car won't just stay solidly straight, even with hands at 10 and 2. It's a discomforting feeling- especially on narrow roads or when passing semis.

One thing I have noticed is that the car maybe seems to wobble side to side a bit- sort of like when you're behind a semi and the draft blows your car around a bit. Could my struts/shocks be overly worn and causing this?
I've had the tires checked, balanced, an alignment done, power steering fluid flushed, lower control arms replaced( maybe tie rods as well?). Nothing feels loose in the front suspension and nothing looks overly rotten.

Any ideas on things to check/where to begin?

[abscate]

Between lower control arms, outer tie rods, and inner tie rods, something is loose

[cn90]

- At 167K miles, you can bet that the front needs a refresh...

- Struts/Springs
- Seats
- Seat Bearing
- Endlinks
- Tie rods
- Control Arms + ball joints...

etc.

[oragex]

Geometry? How do the tires wear? Too much camber can slightly do this.

Then as above, inspect is the tie rods and the ball joints and end links- see if there is any play with the wheel off ground and shake the wheel.

You can depress each corner and see how the shocks rebounds

If all check fine look at the subframe bushings but only if one looks really fully cracked (support the frame, undo the bolt and cup and check the bushing)

Finally have a look at the rear wheels - maybe ask a bud to drive behind you and to look if the car drives 'sideways', more or less like at 0:35 in this video

[June]

If you find all the suspension parts are tight then look at the subframe bushings. I had the entire suspension replaced in my 2004 S80 to get rid of a popping sound and a alignment issue which felt like the car would be pulling right, then suddenly be pulling left while on the interstate. Then due to a leak in the rear main seal earlier this year, I had the subframe bushings replaced while the frame was out anyway. To my surprise it fixed both issues. When I saw the old bushings the centers were wallowed out allowing the frame to shift on the bolts. June

[abscate]

I just did my LCA and tie rods with very little play. The difference in the driving was amazing

[BlackBart]

If none of those front end bits mentioned such as control arms, ball joints, or tie rod ends are worn or broken, you may have way too much toe out in your front end alignment. This will make it very “darty” or twitchy, changing direction, following every little road groove.

[precopster]

As well as the above^^

I have 2 loose spring seats with about 20,000kms on them courtesy of our esteemed friends over at Pro Parts Sweden. The top of the shock mount plate can be twisted about 10 degrees on the right side and about 5 degrees on the other. Car is noticable darty and nervous on the road.

[oragex]

The quality of parts must also be questioned indeed. A cheap control arm won't even survive 6 months. Use only Lemforder, Sachs , Ipd HD, from online sites Fcp, Ipd

[zanzabar]

If you find all the suspension parts are tight then look at the subframe bushings. I had the entire suspension replaced in my 2004 S80 to get rid of a popping sound and a alignment issue which felt like the car would be pulling right, then suddenly be pulling left while on the interstate. ... When I saw the old bushings the centers were wallowed out allowing the frame to shift on the bolts. June

+1 for this. If the rest of your suspension bits look ok I'll wager this is the issue.